Rugby is staying with the No 2 ground at Whitestone Contracting Centennial Park for next Friday's pre-season match between the Highlanders and Crusaders, instead of switching to the main oval.
However, North Otago Rugby chief executive Colin Jackson is promising a party atmosphere and family entertainment.
Already, there are bookings for 13 corporate tents and marquees at the ground.
Last year, the Waitaki District Council was called on to settle a clash between rugby and cricket over using the No 1 ground.
North Otago Cricket was scheduled to play its second defence of the Hawke Cup on the same day as the rugby match.
Both codes wanted to use the oval, but in a last minute deal between them, rugby agreed to use the No 2 ground if the Hawke Cup challenge was on.
North Otago lost the Hawke Cup in its first defence, against Otago Country, on January 28 to 30 and rugby could have switched to the Oval.
"We didn't have enough time to prepare the No 1 ground and the risk it would be too hard to play on wasn't a risk worth taking," Mr Jackson said.
"The message we got from the Highlanders and Crusaders was what goes on around the ground is irrelevant to player welfare and we must have a great playing surface, which we now have [on No 2]."
Both teams are expected to have close to their starting line-ups on the field, including present All Blacks.
